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Former Viking scout Goodchild: Tottenham star Kane was keen to join us

Viking FK's former scout Gary Goodchild has revealed how they tried to sign Tottenham striker Harry Kane as a young player.

Goodchild admits Viking made their move for England's captain in 2012. A former Arsenal, Crystal Palace and Reading player, Goodchild had good contacts inside London football and was tipped off about a young centre-forward making a name for himself inside the Tottenham academy.

He recalled to TV2 via Fotboll Transfers: "When I was a scout in Viking, I got tips about a young and promising striker, who then played for Tottenham's reserve team. I even got information that he could imagine playing for Viking, because he wanted an experience abroad. The player was Harry Kane. During that period, he fought a lot to break through in Tottenham's A-team.

"When we were going to travel to see him, he had been loaned to several clubs in recent years and we wanted to see him in action. We saw him on video, and of course he looked very good."

Goodchild admits plans were put in place for he and a Viking delegation to travel to London to see Kane in action and also to speak with Spurs and his representatives. And as he mentioned, Kane was aware of their interest and open to the prospect of a spell in Norwegian football.

He continued: "When we went to London to see him in action, however, he was injured in training just before. So he did not participate in the match we would travel to see. Therefore, we decided to postpone the trip until he got well again."

Unfortunately for Goodchild and Viking, that hesitation opened the door to rivals in England and Millwall were able to jump in and close a loan agreement for Kane.

As Goodchild concluded: "But 14 days later he was suddenly in Tottenham's A-team. And yes, the rest is history."


- updated July 12

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